An Oasis in the Andes… Hacienda San Joaquín is a 663-acre ranch located in the beautiful Andes Mountains in southern Ecuador. The ranch is approximately two miles from the attractive, quaint and internationally renowned village of Vilcabamba, the jewel of Ecuador. The property is bordered and protected on three sides by the Andes Mountains and on the fourth by the Vilcabamba River.

The setting, within one of the world’s most spectacular regions, is extraordinary, magical, private, tranquil and soothing. There is a special feeling on this ranch noticed and commented on by visitors. An oasis, Hacienda San Joaquín is an uncommon place on the planet. Visit and you will feel it.

A limited number of unique riverfront and hillside home sites, each of various sizes and amenities, are offered for purchase. The vast majority of the property will be preserved in its natural habitat, ideal for hiking and horseback riding.

In addition to the stunning setting in the Andes Mountains, another remarkable aspect of the area is the year-around spring weather. The days are warm and the nights are cool. There is a dry and a rainy season. During the “rainy” season, which runs from approximately October to April, it rains mostly at night, and the hills turn emerald green.

Prices include access to water, electricity and internet, Community Center, Equestrian and Hiking Center and River Park usage, and hiking and horseback riding trails. HSJ is a deed restricted and gated community. The monthly maintenance fee for lots is $115 and for Quintas is $150. The Voluntary Monthly Community Assistance Fund fee is $10.

The maintenance fee, paid to the HSJ Association of Owners, pays for utility costs of common areas (lights, water systems), the overall upkeep of the property (roads; water, electric, and internet systems; entrance; river park; and horse and pedestrian trails, etc.), provides nighttime and security gate personnel, and covers other necessary communal expenses. The Community Assistance Fund, through the Hacienda San Joaquin Foundation, is used to aid people in the Vilcabamba area. Many of the properties at Hacienda San Joaquin have already been sold. There are properties owned by people from all over the world. What they have in common is a desire for a healthy life in an extraordinary setting that possesses one of the world’s best climates. They also seek to maximize the value from their funds in the purchase of their properties and in their day-to-day expenses. One can build a very high-quality home here for a fraction of what it costs in the First World. Land prices are not cheap but are far less expensive than comparable properties in the First World. While many of the properties have been sold, there are still beautiful properties and re-sales available. Many say Hacienda San Joaquin is one of the finest developments in Ecuador.

Downtown Vilcabamba is about a 10-minute drive from the Hacienda entrance. The town is a busy place on weekends as many Ecuadorians from nearby Loja, 24 miles away, visit. Numerous Lojanos have weekend homes in Vilcabamba and nearby Malacatos to take advantage of the beauty and especially the climate which is far superior to Loja’s. You can have delicious meals in a variety of restaurants that are inexpensive. Fruits and vegetables are abundant in the markets in Vilcabamba and Malacatos. A large avocado costs about 35 cents. Mangos are about the same. Two dozen roses cost about three dollars. The year-around favorable climate in Vilcabamba enables those who are so inclined to grow a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Because of the climate and low cost, living is easier here than in many other places in the world. The climate is perhaps the most remarkable feature. There is no need for heating or air conditioning. One dresses lightly during the day and sleeps with a blanket at night year around. It’s very green here for about six months when there are regular rains, mostly in the evening, and less green for the other six months. The temperature remains constant throughout the year. The sun varies only 15 degrees as we are not far from the equator. There is no daylight savings time. Everything remains fairly constant. It’s healthy. People live longer if they take advantage of what’s here. It’s another era in Vilcabamba, more like the way it was in the 50s in the United States. Ecuadorians are warm people. Their lives are centered mostly on their families.